Yuanshi

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Encounter with Lu Chen and Duobao

Yuanshi first encountered Lu Chen and Duobao while traveling with Laozi and Tongtian. Unlike Tongtian’s warmth, Yuanshi regarded the two rat spirits with visible disdain. Lu Chen’s Devouring Demon God origin and foundation, however, impressed him enough that he personally offered to accept Lu Chen as a disciple. Lu Chen declined in order to remain with Duobao under Tongtian. 1 2

At Kunlun Mountain, Yuanshi mocked Lu Chen and Duobao for making a rat-hole dwelling rather than a proper cave abode. He nevertheless acknowledged Duobao’s rapid cultivation and later praised the latter’s courage in enduring the Transformation Tribulation with his body. 3 4

Teachings and Zixiao Palace

Yuanshi transmitted his artifact-refinement insights to Duobao and later shared them with Lu Chen as well. Along with Tongtian’s cultivation and formations teachings and Laozi’s alchemy teachings, this gave the two disciples access to all three of the Three Pure Ones’ supplementary paths. 5

At Zixiao Palace, Yuanshi secured one of the first three meditation cushions alongside Laozi and Tongtian. He later severed his Good Corpse through the Jade Ruyi, following Hongjun’s Three Corpses Severance method. 6 11

Founding the Chan Sect

After Laozi established the Dao Sect, Yuanshi founded the Chan Sect and attained Sagehood through merit. Tongtian’s subsequent success in proving the Primordial Zenith Dao through the Sword Dao left Yuanshi shocked and resentful, as Tongtian’s pressure surpassed that of an ordinary merit-based Sage. 29

Yuanshi recruited disciples through tests of origin, fortune, and comprehension. His sect ultimately accepted Ran Deng and the Twelve Golden Immortals, a much smaller group than the nearly thousand cultivators admitted to the Jie Sect through Lu Chen’s Inquiry-Heart Formation. 29 30

Sect Rivalry

Yuanshi permitted Ran Deng to challenge Jin Ling for her cave abode, expecting the peak Great Luo cultivator to prevail over Tongtian’s disciple. Ran Deng instead failed to suppress Lu Chen and was forced to rely on the Qiankun Ruler against a single punch, embarrassing both himself and Yuanshi. 31

The conflict intensified when Chan Sect disciples seized Jie Sect cave abodes. Lu Chen defeated Ran Deng again and reclaimed the residences, while Yuanshi privately seethed at Lu Chen’s strength and Tongtian’s apparent good fortune. 34 35

Yuanshi later asked Tongtian to reassign some Jie Sect cave abodes to his disciples. Tongtian refused to override Lu Chen and Duobao’s management of sect affairs, instructing Yuanshi to negotiate with Lu Chen directly. Yuanshi left angered and humiliated rather than approach Lu Chen himself. 41

When Lu Chen brought Six Ears, the Six-Eared Macaque, back to Kunlun, Yuanshi insisted that Hongjun’s prohibition against transmitting Dharma to Six Ears be obeyed. He urged Tongtian to cripple Six Ears’s cultivation and expel him, but Tongtian instead accepted Six Ears as a valuable future member of the Jie Sect. 52

Yuanshi’s resentment intensified after the Heavenly Court’s restoration. Having initially belittled Haotian as an unworthy “gatekeeping boy,” he sought to replace Jie Sect officeholders with Chan Sect disciples after witnessing the immense merit and fortune produced by their appointments. Haotian refused to revoke the existing posts, and Yuanshi returned to Kunlun empty-handed. 51 56 57

After Yuanshi attempted to punish Zhao Gongming for humiliating Guangchengzi, Tongtian openly defended his disciple and announced that the Chan and Jie Sects should separate. Tongtian subsequently relocated the Jie Sect to Golden Turtle Island, leaving Yuanshi and the Chan Sect on Kunlun Mountain. 58 59 60

Self-Doubt

After the Witch-Demon conflict, Yuanshi compared his disciples’ progress unfavorably with Tongtian’s. Guangchengzi had only reached the Early Taiyi stage while Jin Ling was already at the Middle Primordial Unity stage, leading Yuanshi to question whether his selective teaching philosophy had been fundamentally mistaken. 46

Laozi urged him to stop treating Tongtian as an outsider and reminded him of their brotherhood. Though Yuanshi regained temporary composure, an unidentified voice later offered to help him surpass Tongtian; he did not answer, but reacted with renewed interest. 47

Human Race Schemes

At the Zixiao Palace assembly concerning the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Yuanshi exchanged the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner for an imperial-preceptor position. He was pleased to receive the opportunity associated with a sovereign, then entrusted the instruction of the Human Sovereign to his favored chief disciple, Guangchengzi. 61 72

Yuanshi later joined Laozi’s scheme to have Xuandu reincarnate and contend for the Human Sovereign’s position. Though he recognized the risks of interfering with a Heaven-ordained sovereign, he accepted the plan as the Chan Sect’s best chance to counter Jie Sect influence over the Human Race. 73

Guangchengzi’s instruction of Xuandu failed to overcome Xuanyuan’s greater aptitude, practical leadership, and Martial Dao achievements. After Xuandu’s death at Zhuolu, Guangchengzi bore immense slaughter karma and tribulation qi, causing his Dao heart to collapse and his cultivation to fall dramatically. Yuanshi nevertheless promised to restore his chief disciple’s foundation. 84 90

Yuanshi later accepted Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao as registered disciples after discovering that both bore the Flying Bear Sign. Although he considered their aptitude poor—especially Jiang Ziya’s—he regarded their destiny as essential to controlling the Investiture List and the coming calamity. 119 120

His unequal treatment of the two disciples became increasingly apparent. Yuanshi continued supporting Jiang Ziya because of his destiny to preside over the Investiture of the Gods, while Shen Gongbao’s stronger cultivation and effort received less recognition, fostering the latter’s lasting resentment. 127

Investiture of the Gods Conflict

Yuanshi attempted to prepare for the coming Investiture of the Gods by seeking twelve powerful Demon Race generals to undergo tribulations in place of Chan Sect disciples. He also demanded that Dijun cede the Ziwei Great Emperor position to Guangchengzi, provoking fierce resistance from the Demon Race. 95 103

When Jie Sect disciples began recruiting people fated to become Chan Sect disciples, Yuanshi suspected Tongtian of concealing the heavenly secrets and deliberately stealing his sect’s master-disciple karmic bonds. He later accompanied Yuding to Biyou Palace in an effort to claim Lu Jian, only for Lu Jian to reject Yuding as too weak to serve as his master. 108 109 110

Yuanshi eventually sent Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao down Kunlun Mountain to carry out their separate destinies. He and Laozi regarded Jiang Ziya as the figure meant to preside over the Investiture of the Gods, while expecting Shen Gongbao to enter the Jie Sect and serve another role in the calamity. 127

Lu Chen’s intervention in Chaoge disrupted Yuanshi’s plan to prolong the Shang-Dongyi war, weaken Shang, and use the resulting conflict to draw Jie Sect cultivators into death and the Investiture List. Yuanshi consequently shifted his attention toward using Shen Gongbao and Xiqi to advance Chan Sect interests. 129

During an ambush against Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao, Wenshu, Cihang, Puxian, and Juliusun were defeated and killed after Zhunti abandoned the battlefield. Yuanshi nearly attacked Zhunti in fury, but accepted the Western Sect’s Eight-Treasure Merit Pool as compensation when Laozi explained that it could save Guangchengzi. 133

Yuanshi personally placed Guangchengzi in the Eight-Treasure Merit Pool, whose merit cleansed his disciple’s karmic sin and tribulation qi. Guangchengzi recovered his Dao heart and returned to the Great Luo realm, deepening his gratitude toward Yuanshi. 134

Yuanshi subsequently joined Laozi, Jieyin, and Tongtian in the Pact of the Four Religions. Although the restrictions imposed through Hongjun appeared to favor the allied religions over the Jie Sect, Yuanshi continued to view the arrangement as a path to victory over Tongtian. 135 136

When Dixin formally made the Jie Sect Shang’s Protector Sect, Yuanshi criticized Tongtian for binding Jie Sect fortune to the dynasty. After calculating that Heaven’s Mandate seemingly favored Xiqi’s eventual replacement of Shang, he ordered Shen Gongbao and Chan Sect disciples to descend the mountain and support Xiqi. 137

Yuanshi continued backing Xiqi as the conflict escalated, directing the Chan Sect Golden Immortals to assist Shen Gongbao after the Three Religions formally united around Xiqi’s cause. 139 145

Personality

Yuanshi is proud, status-conscious, and deeply invested in hierarchy. He judges cultivators by origin, fortune, aptitude, and outward refinement, which informs both his early contempt for Lu Chen and Duobao’s demonic forms and the selection standards he imposes on Chan Sect applicants. 1 2 29

His prejudice does not prevent him from recognizing merit. He admitted Duobao’s aptitude was “acceptable” after the latter’s breakthrough and later praised his endurance during the Transformation Tribulation. Yuanshi also valued Lu Chen highly enough to ignore his usual aversion to furred and horned beings when offering him discipleship. 2 3 4

Yuanshi’s strongest flaw is his inability to accept Tongtian’s superiority. Tongtian’s independent Dao attainment, Lu Chen’s rise, and the rapid growth of Jie Sect disciples repeatedly undermine Yuanshi’s self-image, gradually turning sibling rivalry into insecurity and resentment. 29 35 46 47

His treatment of disciples is intensely unequal. Yuanshi treats Guangchengzi as a favored heir, invests heavily in rescuing him from karmic collapse, and protects elite disciples’ interests, while marginalizing less favored figures such as Huanglong and repeatedly neglecting Shen Gongbao despite the latter’s greater talent than Jiang Ziya. 73 90 127 134

Yuanshi is also politically opportunistic when Chan Sect interests are at stake. He disparaged Haotian and Heavenly Court appointments before demanding their benefits for his disciples, and he rejected involvement with mortal affairs until Xiqi’s apparent destiny offered an advantage against the Jie Sect. 51 56 95 137

Abilities & Skills

Sage Cultivation

Yuanshi attained Sagehood through the merit generated by founding the Chan Sect. His status grants him authority over Chan Sect affairs and allows him to observe events occurring across Kunlun Mountain. 29 31

• Severed his Good Corpse with the Jade Ruyi. 11
• Established the Chan Sect with the Pangu Banner as its fortune-suppressing treasure. 29
• Can monitor confrontations involving his disciples without appearing in person. 31
• Suppressed Taiyi, who had perfected Three Corpses Severance and wielded the Chaos Bell, with a casual movement; Taiyi inferred that Yuanshi had likely reached the Second Heaven of the Sage realm. 95
• Can exert overwhelming spiritual pressure upon lesser cultivators, though Tongtian can countermand him when Jie Sect members are involved. 110

Artifact Refinement

Yuanshi possesses artifact-refinement knowledge sufficient to pass down formal insights to both Duobao and Lu Chen. 5

• Taught Duobao artifact refinement after Duobao selected it as his preferred supplementary path. 5
• Shared the same insights with Lu Chen, ensuring Tongtian’s two foremost disciples both received instruction in the discipline. 5

Disciple Selection

Yuanshi evaluates prospective disciples through strict, measurable standards rather than personal character. 29

• Tests candidates’ origins, fortune, and comprehension. 29
• Punishes cultivators who attempt to bypass or exploit his trials. 29
• Favors an elite, limited disciple body over Tongtian’s doctrine of teaching without distinction. 30 46
• Makes exceptions when destiny offers political value, accepting Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao despite their unimpressive aptitudes because both possessed the Flying Bear Sign. 119 120
• Selectively directs resources and protection toward favored disciples, particularly Guangchengzi. 72 90 134

Heavenly Secrets and Strategic Calculation

As a Sage, Yuanshi can observe karmic bonds and divine portions of the heavenly secrets, using these abilities to identify opportunities and plan around future tribulations. 108 129

• Detected his disciples’ forcibly severed master-disciple bonds, though he could not penetrate the concealment surrounding their loss. 108
• Identified the Flying Bear Sign in Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao and connected it to control of the Investiture List. 119
• Calculated Xiqi’s apparent potential to replace Shang and redirected Chan Sect support toward it. 137
• Developed plans to use wars and tribulation-bearers to weaken Shang and shield Chan Sect disciples from calamity. 95 129

Equipment

• Jade Ruyi — Used as the vessel for Yuanshi’s Good Corpse during Three Corpses Severance. 11
• Pangu Banner — Used to suppress the Chan Sect’s fortune when Yuanshi founded the sect. 29
• All-Heavens Auspicious Cloud — Yuanshi’s cloud platform and Sage seat, used when receiving disciples and visiting Biyou Palace. 109 133
• Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner — A top-grade innate spiritual treasure Yuanshi exchanged for a Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors imperial-preceptor position. 61

Relationships

• Laozi — Elder brother among the Three Pure Ones. Laozi regularly moderates Yuanshi’s disputes with Tongtian and later tries to ease Yuanshi’s self-doubt. Yuanshi also cooperates with him in the scheme to have Xuandu contend for the Human Sovereign position and in the later alliance against the Jie Sect. 2 47 73 135
• Tongtian — Younger brother and principal rival. Yuanshi resents Tongtian’s stronger independent Dao attainment and his refusal to sacrifice Jie Sect interests for Chan Sect disciples. Their relationship deteriorates into open sectarian hostility after the Chan and Jie Sects separate. 29 41 46 58 110
• Lu Chen — Tongtian’s eldest disciple. Yuanshi initially tried to recruit him because of his exceptional foundation, but Lu Chen chose Tongtian; later conflicts with Lu Chen repeatedly damage Yuanshi’s pride. Yuanshi also suspects Tongtian and Shi Chen of interfering with Chan Sect master-disciple destinies. 2 31 35 108 110
• Ran Deng — Chan Sect disciple and Vice Sect Master. Yuanshi tacitly allowed Ran Deng’s confrontation with Lu Chen, only for Ran Deng’s defeat to reflect poorly on him. 30 31 35
• The Twelve Golden Immortals — Yuanshi’s core direct disciples. Their slow progress compared with Jie Sect disciples becomes a major source of his insecurity. The group later suffers serious losses during the Investiture conflict, including the deaths of Wenshu, Cihang, Puxian, and Juliusun. 30 46 133
• Guangchengzi — Yuanshi’s favored chief disciple, whom he treats with exceptional partiality. Yuanshi entrusted him with teaching the Human Sovereign, later sought to secure him major Heavenly Court authority, and expended the Western Sect’s merit to cleanse his karmic burden and restore his cultivation. 56 72 90 134
• Haotian — Heavenly Emperor whom Yuanshi initially insulted as an unworthy attendant. Their relationship became openly hostile after Yuanshi tried to compel Haotian to replace Jie Sect officials with Chan Sect disciples. 51 56 57
• Jiang Ziya — Registered Chan Sect disciple bearing the Flying Bear Sign. Yuanshi values him primarily for his destiny to preside over the Investiture of the Gods despite his extremely poor aptitude and low cultivation. 119 120 127
• Shen Gongbao — Registered Chan Sect disciple and fellow bearer of the Flying Bear Sign. Yuanshi values his utility in the coming calamity but favors Jiang Ziya’s ordained destiny over Shen Gongbao’s greater cultivation and effort, creating deep resentment. 120 127 137
• Yuding — Favored Chan Sect disciple whom Yuanshi brought to Biyou Palace in an unsuccessful effort to secure Lu Jian as his disciple. Yuanshi ultimately accepted that Six Ears’s strength made Lu Jian’s rejection credible. 109 110
• Jieyin and Zhunti — Fellow merit-based Sages and intermittent allies against Tongtian. Yuanshi works with them when their interests align, but nearly fought Zhunti after the latter abandoned Chan Sect disciples during the ambush on Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao. 29 124 133 135
• Hongjun — Yuanshi’s teacher at Zixiao Palace; Yuanshi follows Hongjun’s Three Corpses Severance method and later becomes a merit-based Sage. Hongjun later binds Yuanshi within the Pact of the Four Religions during the Investiture conflict. 11 29 136